Former cop admits planning burglary to get drugs

The former chief of the Pennington Gap police department acknowledged in a plea deal Monday that he orchestrated a September break-in at a town drug store to get pain killer pills.

William B. Young, 39, faces up to 40 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two felonies, according to a news release from the office of the U.S. attorney.

Prosecutors say Young was a long-time drug user who distributed controlled substances while employed as the police chief. As chief, he allegedly made sure no other officers were in the vicinity when he gave the all-clear for the burglary at the Pennington Gap Rite-Aid. Thieves took about 5,000 oxycodone pills, some of which ended up with Young, authorities said.

Young “tarnished the badge he wore and violated the trust of the people of Pennington Gap,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Heaphy in a prepared statement.